On the first day of this year, the federal
Limiting the ability of non-Canadians to purchase a home from Canada’s tight supply probably sounded like a reasonable measure in the middle of last year, when many seemed to agree that the housing market needed cooling. It made for good political sound bites, despite the fact that most foreign owners of residential property in Canada offer it for rent, thereby adding to the housing stock available to Canadians.
The legislation fails to acknowledge that the development industry, like virtually every other Canadian industry, relies on extensive investment and capital, often from foreign sources, to build the housing supply it makes available to Canadians and that vacant land zoned for residential and mixed use is where future housing is typically built. In other words, the seemingly helpful provisions of the act cut off access to funding and capital for future housing projects.
The stated intention of the new rules was to make more homes from the existing supply available to Canadians by restricting new non-Canadian buyers for a period of time. The practical implication of the act, as currently structured, is to prevent Canadian builders and developers from accessing the necessary capital to build more homes, jeopardizing the future supply Canadians need.
Dave Wilkes is President and CEO of the Building Industry and Land Development Association , the voice of the home building, land development and professional renovation industry in the GTA. For the latest industry news and new home data, visit www.bildgta.ca.
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